Courage is perhaps our most admirable trait. The man, or woman, who possesses it is able to plunge ahead, despite dangers, despite warnings, despite hazards of all kinds, to attack the task at hand. Often, it is indistinguishable from stupidity.

If you want creative and successful children, resign yourself to jousting with rebels.

Solitude is only a good idea if you have the right people along to share it.

The uplifters are forever running around telling blockheads they would do better if they would believe in themselves. But they already do. That is why they are blockheads.

Don't assume that a species is intelligent because it produces intelligent individuals.

All of the important things ... will turn out to be universally shared. It's why there will be no true aliens.

The problem is that too often the only people who can act don't want change. Power doesn't so much corrupt as it breeds conservatism.